Mayor Jay Gillian: Capital Plan Workshop on Jan. 19 and Dredging Town Hall on Jan. 25

The three-legged CRAB (Coastal Research Amphibious Buggy) surveys the beach at Seventh Street on Saturday, Dec. 5, in Ocean City, NJ. Dear Friends, In 2016, the city will continue its major commitment to improving all parts of the city from beach to bay — with a particular focus on roads and drainage. The city administration will present its five-year capital plan during a public workshop at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19. The workshop will be held in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall at the Ocean City Free Public Library, and I encourage you all to attend to see what projects are planned. Last year’s plan called for spending $80 million over five years with more than $28 million directed to roads and drainage alone. This year’s update will dedicate even more funding toward completing many long-neglected projects. Because of Ocean City’s exceptional bond rating and low interest rates, the city is in a position to accomplish the work without placing extra burden on taxpayers. All residents, property owners and visitors deserve an improved infrastructure to help them enjoy Ocean City. The plan will include substantial funding toward dredging Ocean City’s lagoons and bay side. I invite you all to a Town Hall Meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 at the Maloney Lecture Hall at the library. Representatives of ACT Engineering will present an update on a citywide dredging program. All coastal towns continue to face serious regulatory obstacles as they work to dredge their bays. The presentation will update the public on the city’s strategy for overcoming these roadblocks and creating a sustainable program. I wish you all health, happiness and prosperity as we begin the new year. Warm regards, Jay A. Gillian Mayor